Enable 2-Step Verification in Google Accounts for Extra Security

When you log into your Google account, you just have to enter a username and a password. But from now on you can optionally add an extra layer of security by enabling the 2-step verification. After you have enabled the 2-step verification, you will be required to enter the verification code in addition to the usual username and password. This verification code would be sent to your phone. This means that the potential hacker cannot break into into your Google account even if he knows your password, because they do not have access to your phone.

Before you jump on to use this feature, make sure you have two phones ready — a mobile or landline phone to receive the verification code and another backup phone in case your primary phone is not working. You can use a trustworthy friend's or a relative's phone as your backup phone.

You can follow these easy steps to enable the 2-step verification for your Google account :

1. Login to your Google account at the Google accounts web page : https://www.google.com/accounts/.
2. Click on Using 2-step verification link under the Personal Settings.
   
3. Click on the button labeled Set up 2-Step verification to proceed.
   
4. Select your phone type and click Next. If you have Blackberry, Android or iPhone, then you can just download the Google Authenticator application. If you have an ordinary mobile or landline phone, then you can recieve SMS or automated voice message. We will be using an ordinary mobile phone in this article.
   
5. Choose your country, enter the phone number and select the type of message (SMS or voice message) and then click on Send Code. You will recieve a 6-digit code in your phone. Enter this code and click on the Verify button to finish setting up your phone.
   
6. In the next step, Google would show you ten 8-digit backup verification codes for emergency (when both phones are not available). You can print them down and keep in a safe place. Do not show them to anyone. After printing the codes, select Yes I have a copy of my backup verification codes and click Next.
   
7. In the next step, you have add a backup phone number in the same way you have added the primary phone number. This time testing the phone by receiving the verification code is optional. Click Next to proceed to the next and final step. You will see a big blue button labeled Turn on 2-step verification. Click on this button to turn on the 2-step verification.
   
8. Now when you sign-in to any Google service, you will receive a 6-digit verification code on your phone which you have to enter. You can store this code on your computer for 30-days after which you will have to enter a new verification code again.
   

For more information about the 2-step verification, you can visit the Google's help article here — http://www.google.com/support/accounts/bin/static.py?page=guide.cs&guide=1056283.